The tennis court has been home to some of the fiercest rivalries, but few have left a mark quite like Serena Williams vs. Maria Sharapova. It all started when a 17-year-old Russian teenage sensation caused a huge upset and defeated two-time defending champion Serena Williams in straight sets. This gave rise to an intense rivalry. They met 22 times, and while the American tennis icon dominated with 20 wins, their battles were always a spectacle. But here’s something you might not know: their journeys share striking similarities. Sharapova and Williams were both shaped by determined fathers who pushed them to greatness. And now a former coach is revealing the one goal Sharapova’s father wanted her daughter to achieve!

Yuri Sharapova left behind a stable life in Sochi, Russia, to take his daughter to the U.S. for training at Nick Bollettieri’s academy. Maria Sharapova was just nine when she moved to Florida. Meanwhile, Richard Williams relocated his family from Compton, California, to Florida so Serena and Venus could train at Rick Macci’s academy.

And speaking of Macci, he recently shared an interesting memory about Yuri Sharapova. Taking to X, the legendary coach recalled, “Yuri Sharapova was a man on a mission. He was so driven and told me at age 11 we’re only here to prepare to be better than the WILLIAMS SISTERS. PERIOD. Whoa! Told him mentally Maria is VERY special on the INSIDE. Venus and Serena are VERY special on the INSIDE and OUTSIDE and a brutal competitor when you’re on the OTHER SIDE. But your kid can be number one some day.”

Sharapova herself once shared a revealing story about her early encounters with the Williams sisters that made her realize their similarity. In her book ‘Unstoppable: My Life So Far,’ she described a day when Venus and Serena visited Bollettieri’s academy. Everyone was eager to watch them train—except young Maria. She wanted no part of it. Her reason? She didn’t want to admire them. She wanted to beat them. But curiosity got the best of her.

Later, she sneaked out and watched them through a knothole in a shed. What she saw stuck with her. The Russian tennis star wrote, “They began hitting, easy at first, then with terrific pace. Their father—a tennis father, a parental nut, the will behind the operation. Really not all that different from my own father–leaned against the fence, calling out instructions and orders.”

Despite their on-court battles, time has mellowed their rivalry into mutual respect.

Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams now “have a good laugh” about their rivalry

Both tennis icons have retired, with Maria Sharapova hanging up her racket in 2020 and Serena Williams following her to retirement two years later. They both also share a new interest in business and are focused on their families. Their post-tennis interactions show a shift from competitors to acquaintances who appreciate each other’s journeys.

That bond was on display at the 2024 Met Gala. Sharapova hilariously tried to get a picture with both Williams sisters, but every time she found Serena, Venus had disappeared—and vice versa. Serena later told ‘Harper’s Bazaar,’ “We always love seeing each other. At the Met Gala, I literally was looking for her. I was like, ‘Where’s Maria? Where is she at?’ I think she’s a super cool girl. Now that we’re in a different part of our life, I have so much respect for her. And obviously, I did when I was playing too. I had to gear up to win every single time, but it’s a different kind of respect now.”

The 5-time Grand Slam champion has also spoken fondly of her former nemesis. She told ‘Tennis Channel,’ “Now, we get to reflect on the past and have a good laugh about it. Yeah, you know, and also seeing, you know, her she has two kids now and also an incredibly strong business platform. Yeah, we have a lot of fun, we have some good, some good, good chats on our phones.”

Their rivalry may be over, but their stories remain intertwined. What’s your favorite moment from their battles on the court? Let us know in the comments below!